What Is An Enhanced Fujita Scale, And How Does An EF5 On The Scale Affect Oklahoma Residents?

Tornadoes occur on almost every continent except Antarctica, and the United States is among the countries that encounter the most tornadoes. Approximately 1000 tornadoes are reported in the US every year, raising the need for research and development into disaster management. One particular research that has helped identify the intensity of tornadoes is the EF scale. An EF5 tornado scale is an Enhanced Fujita Scale, which rates the tornado on a scale from 0 to 5.

Scroll down to know more details about the EF scale.

Who developed the EF scale?

The Enhanced Fujita Scale was developed by Ted Fujita, a professor at the University of Chicago. Due to his extensive contributions to the study of tornadoes, he was called “Mr. Tornado.” The US National Weather Service has been using the EF scale to study tornadoes since 1973.

Before the introduction of this scale, it was hard to predict the intensity of tornadoes because there wasn’t enough information available, but thanks to Prof. Ted Fujita, this is now possible.

How does it work?

The EF scale studies the damage caused by tornadoes and rates them accordingly. It considers different metrics to assess the damage, such as the damages caused to the roofs of the house, collapsed outside walls, or damage caused to the whole house. These factors help scientists determine the speed of the tornado.

If the tornado’s speed exceeds 200 miles per hour, it is called an EF5 tornado, while if the speed is between 65 to 85 miles an hour, it is called an EF0 tornado.

Has there ever been an EF5 scale tornado?

The most recent EF5 scale tornado occurred on May 20, 2013, in Moore, Oklahoma. It was a 40-minute tornado that caused 25 deaths and severe property loss.

However, the most dangerous EF5 scale tornado happened on March 18, 1925. It was a “Tri-State Tornado,” which was 219 miles wide. It caused 695 deaths and damaged around 15,000 homes.

How can Oklahoma residents prepare for an EF5 Tornado?

An EF5 scale tornado is deadly and life-threatening, as it can spread to a significantly larger area, giving residents less time to prepare and causing more fatalities. You must have a storm shelter in your home to save yourself and your family from an EF5 tornado, as it is easily accessible and doesn’t require much preparation before the tornado.

Contact Oklahoma Shelters if you want to install a storm shelter in Norman!

The introduction of the EF scale has simplified the study of tornadoes to a great extent. However, tornadoes are a force of nature, and you can never be fully sure of them. Even with all the technology, houses get damaged, and people lose their lives because of tornadoes, and in a country like the US, the need to build a storm shelter is more than ever.

If you don’t have a storm shelter in your house yet,  contact us. We build all kinds of storm shelters in Norman.

Why Was A Tornado Warning Issued Across Oklahoma Recently?

If you live in Oklahoma, you must have heard the tornado warnings issued recently. It was reported that a storm was developing and would reach Oklahoma in a few days. The storm hit the state of Oklahoma on February 26^th, leaving at least a dozen people injured across the state. There were nine tornadoes, one of which was reported in Norman, while the others were reported in the west-central part of Oklahoma.

The tornadoes came from the Texas Panhandle and were part of a bigger storm system.

This blog will walk through what exactly happened.

Loss of life

Whenever a storm hits, the first thing that you want to know is if there were any fatalities. This storm was no different; official reports tell that at least one person lost their life in Cheyenne. Apart from this, there were at least a dozen people who were injured and taken to the hospital.

Storm shelters are great at protecting lives. If you live in Norman and haven’t installed a storm shelter yet, you must contact us.

Damaged Property

Storms can very easily rip houses off and destroy cars. This is what happened, as several videos emerged on the internet showing the destruction of property. The cars were flipped on the roads, and some buildings had their roofs ripped off.

According to official data, at least 46 homes were damaged.

Power Outage

Because of the wind pressure, tornadoes deposit debris when they pass through the area. This causes the debris to break electric wires and lines, which in turn causes power breakdowns.

Oklahoma went through the same situation, as a power outage led to more than 16,000 people being without power in the state.

The Current Situation

The storm has moved Midwest towards Illinois and Ohio, and all the emergency state warnings issued previously are now nullified. This means another storm isn’t coming, and you can start the rebuilding work.

A disaster relief station has been set up at Lindsay Street to help people in the rebuilding and cleanup work.

This is why tornado warnings were issued in Oklahoma. Some people got lucky, while some suffered damages in the form of their property.

Storms can affect anyone, so you need to care for yourself. Build a safe room in your home, and don’t just rely on your basement; in the case of a flood, your basement will be the first to get flooded with water.

We build storm shelters in Oklahoma City and Norman. Reach out to us now!

Why Should You Invest In A Safe Room For Your Home In Norman?

Tornado activity has increased drastically over the past decade. In 2022 alone, the US received 18 weather disasters, each causing more than $1 billion in damages and collectively resulting in at least 474 fatalities.

We’re just two months into 2023, and Norman has already been hit by a storm. The need to invest in a safe room for your home is greater than ever. It can save you from getting injured because you will know where to go the next time a storm comes.

Here are more reasons why having a safe room in Norman is important.

1. It’s above the ground

Many people treat their basements as safe rooms, which isn’t an issue until the flood water fills the space. Yes, flood water can easily come into your basement during a storm, putting your whole family at risk.

This is why it is advised to have an above-ground storm shelter designed specifically to withstand any climatic disaster, so even if there is a flood, you and your loved ones will be completely safe.

2. It provides safety from theft

A good thing about installing a safe room in Norman is that it provides safety not only from storms but also from theft or any criminal activity. You can keep your belongings, such as jewelry, money, and other valuables, in your safe room, saving them from falling into the wrong hands.

3. It increases the value of the house

You can never be sure of the future. You may not want to sell your house right now, but this can change in the future.

Having a safe room in the house will help you increase your home’s market value and get a good offer because the buyer will not have to install one on their own.

4. It helps you stay prepared for unpredictable weather

Sometimes, the weather can be unpredictable, not allowing you enough time to prepare for the storm. Having a safe room in your home will save you from worrying about unpredictable storm conditions. You will just have to take your whole family and some important stuff into the safe room and be there until the storm is gone.

Now that you understand the importance of investing in a safe room, it’s time to get one for your home. If you want to install a safe room in Norman, Oklahoma Shelters is here for you. We are storm shelter experts in Norman.

Give us a call now!

5 Historic Natural Disasters To Hit Oklahoma City

Oklahoma City, situated in the “tornado alley,” has earned its reputation as one of the most severely affected cities by tornadoes and hurricanes. Tornadoes such as F5 and EF5 are most likely to hit Oklahoma City than any other region of Oklahoma. There have been several natural disasters that have left the city devastated.

Here’s a list of some deadliest natural disasters in Oklahoma City.

1. The F5 tornado 1999

This was one of the most destructive tornadoes to ever hit Oklahoma City. This F5 tornado struck the Oklahoma City metro area on May 3 1999, causing 36 deaths. The total cost of damage was $1 billion.

2. The EF5 tornado 2013

The EF5 tornado hit the metro area of Oklahoma City on May 20th, 2013. This was the costliest natural disaster and amounted to 2 billion dollars worth of damage. It claimed 24 lives being the fourth deadliest disaster and was the first EF5 tornado recorded in Oklahoma City.

3. The 1942 tornado

The tornado hit Oklahoma City on June 12th, 1948, and was the second deadliest tornado claiming 35 lives.

4. The 1948 tornado

This was the third costliest tornado in Oklahoma City that occurred on March 20th, 1948. The damage summed up to 10 million dollars. Most damages were caused to the aircraft at Tinker Air Force Base. To put the damage cost into perspective, even after adjusting for inflation, the May 2013 tornado and the May 1999 tornado were 200 times and 100 times more costly, respectively.

5. The 2015 Flooding  

In May 2015, Oklahoma City suffered the worst flooding ever recorded. The official recorded rain was 19.48 inches. Several drownings and other deaths were reported leaving irreparable damage behind.

Oklahoma City has been recorded to have 5 tornadoes in one day in 1974, 2013 and 2018. The state’s capital is known to have been hit 30 times by two or more tornadoes in one day.

Living in Oklahoma City can be challenging and needs precautionary arrangements. Installing storm shelters is the safest way to protect yourself and your family from these deadly natural disasters. At Oklahoma Shelters, we build custom-made concrete storm shelters, underground bunkers, garage shelters and safe rooms according to your family’s requirements.

Get in touch with us if you’re looking for a reliable company with FEMA-approved products to install a storm shelter in Oklahoma.

Install A Community Storm Shelter In Norman, OK

Norman is one of the cities in Oklahoma that faces a high number of hurricanes and tornadoes. These natural disasters cause severe destruction and sweep away homes. Therefore, installing a community storm shelter in Norman is important to protect the residents.

Here are some factors to be considered when installing a community storm shelter.

1. Sufficient Resident Accommodation

While building a storm shelter for public use, it is important to get your data right. The total number of residents, the number of elderly and children, the number of people with special needs such as a wheelchair, and other relevant technical data need to be collected and studied thoroughly to make sure the storm shelter is equipped to accommodate all the residents. Space allocation, inside the shelter, per person, is a very important factor to consider to avoid any mishaps during and after the chaos of a storm.

2. Built According To Guidelines

All storm shelters have to be built according to FEMA guidelines to provide maximum safety and protection. It has to be built strictly according to the FEMA protocols and requirements to make sure the shelter can withstand strong tornadoes and hurricanes and provide safety,

3. Ventilation

When you have a large number of people gathered, it is important to provide hygiene and a clean environment. Failure to do so can lead to the spread of diseases and a number of other problems. Therefore, proper ventilation systems are a must to provide people with clean air in a storm shelter.

4. System Functionality

There are complex systems that are installed to ensure a proper smooth running of a storm shelter. It is important to make sure all the systems installed are safe to use and don’t cause any technical difficulties. This connects to everything, from the working of ventilation systems to the functioning of the kitchen equipment and operating automated doors.

There are many details that have to be taken care of when building a storm shelter for a large group of people. FEMA provides guidelines, protocols, and instructions on how to build the safest storm shelters for a community or in your house.

If you’re interested in installing a storm shelter in your house, feel free to get in touch with us to learn more about us. We provide custom-made underground bunkers, concrete storm shelters, and safe rooms. We can design your shelter or safe rooms according to your family’s unique requirements to provide the highest level of safety and protection.

Here’s Why Oklahoma City Needs Underground Bunkers

Oklahoma is situated in the “alley of tornado” making it prone to strong hurricanes, tornadoes and twisters. Such natural disasters can cause a lot of damage and claim lives. Therefore, it is recommended to install underground bunkers in Oklahoma City. It is the safest option for the residents to protect themselves in case of natural calamities.

Here are some reasons why it is important to have underground bunkers in Oklahoma City.

1. It Can Be Custom-Made

Underground bunkers can be built according to your requirements and can fit all the members of your family safely. They’re built according to the FEMA guidelines providing sufficient space per person, giving special attention to each family member’s age and special requirements like wheelchair access.

2. You Can Stock Emergency Supplies in it

During a natural disaster, you get no warning to collect the essential items your need before heading to the shelter. An underground bunker can be stocked with all the emergency supplies you might need during an emergency. This includes bedding, food supplies, toiletries and medical supplies.

3. It Can Store Your Valuables

Besides necessities, you can store your documents, IDs, jewelry and other valuables in the underground bunker. In case of natural disasters, these underground bunkers prove to be safer and more convenient to access because banks can be hard to reach and your valuables can be destroyed.

4. It Is Easy to Access

A storm bunker under your house is the easiest and the quickest safe place you can access in case of an emergency. It can be risky for you to leave your premises in search of a safe place like a community storm shelter when there’s a hurricane or a tornado hovering around.

Oklahoma City is prone to hurricanes and tornadoes. An underground bunker is a must-have to protect your loved ones if you live in the city. If you’re interested in installing an underground bunker in your house, get in touch with us for more information on our services.

We also build custom-made safe rooms , garage shelters and concrete storm shelters. We provide expert services starting from the initial survey of your house till the installation of your shelter. All our products are FEMA approved and of the best quality to provide you with the utmost protection.

4 Alternate Ways To Use A Storm Shelter In Norman, OK

Storm shelters are an inevitable investment you need to make, living in Norman. The frequent hurricanes and tornadoes demand protection and safety for your family. But is that all you can use a storm shelter for? Storm shelters can be useful besides just being used during storms. There are quite a few ways for you to utilize your storm shelter during the off-storm season.

Here are a few alternate ways for storm shelter uses in Norman.

1. Use It As a Personal Vault

One of the safest places in your house to keep all your valuables and precious belongings can be your storm shelter. It can act as an alternative to your bank locker. You can use it to keep important documents, cash, expensive artifacts or any other valuables you want to keep safe. This doesn’t only act as a protection against theft or robbery, but in case of flooding, the storm shelter can protect all your precious valuables and belongings.

2. Use It For Extra Storage

You can use your storm shelter for extra storage if you’re running low on space in your house. For example, if you run a small business from your home and have received a big order, you can use the shelter to store your inventory safely. It can also be used to keep extra furniture and other household items like mattresses and bedding that may be used occasionally.

3. Use It to Store Food

In Norman, we understand the extent of damage hurricanes and tornadoes can cause. It is always safer to be ready and stock non-perishable food items to prepare for such emergencies. You can use your storm shelter as a space to stock up on canned and non-perishable food items.

 4. Use It As A Guest Bedroom

If you’re in a situation where you have to accommodate more guests than your house space can allow, your storm shelter can save you. Turn it into a temporary guest bedroom accommodating people according to its capacity.

We provide FEMA-approved safe rooms and storm shelters in Oklahoma. We build custom-made shelters and safe rooms to cater to your exact requirements. We offer underground bunkers and above ground shelters based on your preference or location needs. Get in touch with us to find out more about our services.

Is It Important To Hire A Professional For Concrete Storm Shelter Installation?

Like many Americans, you might be tempted to attempt a DIY safe room or storm shelter installation in your home. But there are several reasons why that’s a bad idea, most of which have to do with your safety and that of your family in times of natural disasters.

This blog talks about why hiring an expert is necessary for your concrete storm shelter installation and where you can find reliable storm shelter experts in Norman and Oklahoma City.

1. Structural Integrity

For your storm shelter to withstand dangerous storms, it must have a sound structure. Hiring a professional for your concrete storm shelter installation will prove more beneficial as they’ll look into whether the walls, ceiling and floor can hold you and your family during a tornado or hurricane.

Our concrete storm shelters are incredibly strong and come with a 10-year warranty on leaks and corrosion. We’ll also do an inspection after the installation to ensure the structural integrity of your safe room.

2. Ventilation

Your storm shelter also requires a proper ventilation system to keep oxygen flowing in and out. Depending on whether your storm shelter is above-ground or underground, a storm shelter expert will ensure that your safe room receives ample fresh air for you and your family to safely ride out the storm.

Our experts can also support you in applying for your storm shelter permit so that you don’t miss any important documentation.

3. Security

Perhaps the most important reason you should hire a professional for your concrete storm shelter installation is to make sure that your shelter is fully secure. Some features that we add to our storm shelters for protection include steel doors with gas hinges and deadbolts, thick walls supported with a rebar cage, and have them pass the Texas Tech Impact Test, among several others.

It’s quite important to get your storm shelter examined to see if it adheres to FEMA’s safety standards and guidelines. To find steel safe rooms, concrete storm shelters, and underground bunkers for your properties in Oklahoma City and Norman, give us a call.

All our concrete storm shelter installations come with a 10-year warranty against any kind of corrosion and leakages. We offer free shelter quotes to our clients after conducting a preliminary assessment of their property. For more information on our installation processes, you may scroll through our FAQ page.

Flat Top Vs. Slope Top: Which Type Of Shelter Works Best For You?

Storm shelters are necessary additions to homes across South America. If you’re a resident of Oklahoma City or Norman, your home should have a safe room installed to ensure your safety during a natural disaster.

So if you’re looking for the right shelter for your home, you should know that common varieties in safe rooms include flat-top vs slope-top shelters, both of which offer general benefits and advantages specific to their shapes. Read on to learn which of the two works better for you.

Flat Top Shelters

These shelters are typically installed in the ground, which means they can go either outside your home or in your garage, depending on how much space you’ve got. Because their tops are flat, they don’t obstruct anything, which is why you can install them in your garage and park your car on top.

Both our flat-top vs slope-top shelters come equipped with several useful features. These include gas hinges on a steel door, with pre-cast concrete and strengthened with mesh and rebar. For more information on our storm shelters, read through our FAQ page.

Slope Top Shelters

In several ways, flat-top vs slope-top shelters are almost identical in design and specifications. However, some differences might be relevant to some of you. The sloping top allows rainwater, snow, and other debris to slide right off the shelter’s top, as opposed to flat-top shelters.

The slope also makes it easier to spot the shelter from a distance, which would not be possible with a flat-top shelter in most cases. Our flat-top vs slope-top shelters offer 10 years’ worth of protection against leaks and corrosion and come with wind turbines to ensure ventilation. Finally, either of these storm shelters can be made to accommodate anywhere between 5 to 23 people.

Storm Shelters In Norman And Oklahoma City

Whether you opt for a flat-top vs slope-top shelter, all our storm shelters have been vigorously tested to withstand an EF5 tornado while exceeding the safety protocols highlighted by FEMA. To learn more about the features that come installed into our storm shelters, call us at 405-367-7901 anytime between 7:00 am to 10:00 pm.

Do you require a shelter quote for your residential property? Fill in this form to get your free shelter quote!